A significant portion of the meeting focused on the fire department’s proposed budget increase, which aims to bolster its operational capabilities. The department plans to add an administrative assistant and expand the number of career officers from three to four, while also increasing the career firefighter-paramedics from six to eight. This restructuring is designed to transition from a three-shift to a four-shift system. The budget proposal includes a substantial increase of approximately $327,000 for salaries, encompassing hiring expenses and overtime. When factoring in additional operational costs, the total budgetary increase could exceed $464,000.

The fire chief outlined the need for a comprehensive staffing study to assess future requirements, with the potential necessity of a fourth person on shift continuously. The department also faces the demographic challenge of an aging workforce nearing retirement, which could exacerbate staffing shortages.

The police department, led by Chief Jeff Tibido, offered a detailed overview of its current staffing situation. The appointment of three new officers is expected to stabilize the department following a period of high turnover and vacancies. Personnel costs account for 83% of the police department’s budget, highlighting the impact staffing levels have on overall expenditures. The competitive job market for police officers was a focal point, with many departments offering incentives such as signing bonuses to attract candidates. This competition mirrors trends in the private sector, where salary and benefits are key factors in recruitment and retention.

Budgetary “give backs” were clarified, revealing that unexpended salaries due to vacancies do not equate to overall excess funds but rather reflect specific line items within the budget. The police department emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong community presence, integrating officers into local events to foster community relations.

The meeting also delved into the town’s snow and ice budget, where a deficit of $255,000 accumulated over the past five years was discussed. Proposals to increase the budget by 2.5% annually aim to mitigate this deficit while maintaining the ability to deficit spend in future years. The need for additional personnel to manage snow and ice routes was highlighted, with plans to acquire a new CDL class dump truck, estimated to cost around $425,000.

Stormwater management emerged as another priority, with discussions on establishing a stormwater utility as an enterprise fund supported by user fees. This initiative is deemed essential due to insufficient operational capital and Chapter 90 funds necessary to comply with the MS4 permit for stormwater management. The proposal includes hiring additional staff, such as an administrative assistant for billing, a stormwater GIS engineer, and a heavy equipment operator. The establishment of the stormwater utility would involve equipment acquisitions, such as a new dump truck and a pipe inspection camera, to improve response capabilities.

Facility management was another key topic, with Chris Ruth, the facilities director, outlining budget implications for town buildings and parks. The discussion touched on the fiscal year 2027 budget, with the town absorbing costs associated with the TC Passio building, projected to have a $100,000 deficit annually. The importance of transparency and proper financial management in handling revolving accounts was emphasized.